Focus on the future

A sheepish grin spread across UTPB senior Oscar Ramirez's face when asked how he did it.

"I participate as much as I can," he said.

Ramirez, the only scholar to win two Outstanding Student Awards on Tuesday at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin's Honors Convocation, made his accomplishments seem easy.

The 23-year-old with a 3.91 grade-point average, despite holding down a full-time work schedule, said he thought of graduation to get him through the hard times.

"Just knowing that I did all I could," Ramirez said. "So far that's been the case."

He was one of many students and teachers recognized at the 32nd annual event, where Ector County Independent School District Interim Superintendent Hector Mendez served as keynote speaker.

UTPB Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Bill Fannin acknowledged students with scholarships, those on the Dean's List and Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges honorees. Many received President's Honor Roll Certificates, Outstanding Graduates awards were bestowed and some graduate students got accolades.

Fannin said he was happy to report that, out of the event program's 20 pages, 16 were taken up by names of scholarship recipients.

"This university is truly blessed," he said.

Mendez encouraged students to focus on their futures by imparting his personal story. From working in cotton fields at age 9 with family to his service in Vietnam, Mendez said he learned the importance of leadership and developing relationships.

"Remember this event is one to celebrate, but it's not an end point," he said to the crowd.

Faculty members were recognized as well.

Robert Worley, assistant professor of criminology, won the Lamancha Society Golden Windmill Award for outstanding research. This is the 18th year the award has been given to a UTPB professor.

Sophia Andres, professor of English and Kathlyn Cosper Dunagan professor in humanities, was recognized for being a Piper Professor nominee. Only 15 professors from around the state make the finalist list for the award, bestowed by The Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation, and a final winner will be announced in May.

"I'm ecstatic," Andres said.

Karen Smith, an associate professor in the School of Education, is UTPB's nominee for the Chancellor's Council Innovation in Education Award, an honor that recognizes one teacher from all of UT's systems. That winner will also be announced in May.

J. Michael Robinson, professor of chemistry and Ellen and Bill Noël Distinguished Professor for Energy Research, won the President's Research Award. He's working on alternative fuel research and recently received a grant from Chevron.

Assistant history professor Derek Catsam won the President's Teaching Award, and Paul Haensly, an associate professor in UTPB's School of Business, won the Chancellor's Council Outstanding Teaching Award.,